Country Music Argumentative Essay

I have listened to country music since I was a little, as did my husband. For him, it's a reminder of a simpler time, helping his father farm, plowing fields into the night. For me, it's a reminiscence of sunning myself in my backyard over summer vacation. The twangy sounds of the guitars and the fiddles always seemed to make me feel at home. For me, country music is a way of life, therefore the reasons I will use in an attempt to persuade you that country music is better than other music include its deep history in America, the quality and content of the music and its relatability.

Originating in the south, country music is a mix of folk songs and sounds brought over from England by Anglo-Celtic immigrants in the 1700's. (1) It was established in the Appalachians and back-woods around the time of the revolution. To cure loneliness and isolation, mountain dwellers would sing songs that reminded them of home, keeping up with traditions. According to B.A. Botkin, " the folk…group is one that has been cut off from progress and has retained beliefs, customs and expressions with limited acceptance and acquired new ones in kind." (1)

In 1919, Cecil Sharp introduced this genre to the world by releasing "English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians" which would open the door for future country singers and songwriters. (1) Unlike the deep

roots of country music, other varieties, such as hip-hop or rock and roll, have only been around for a short time with Hip-hop's origins beginning in 1973 in the Bronx and gaining popularity in the 80's and 90's (4) and Rock & Roll, originating in the 1950's. (5)
The evolution of country music began after World War II, moving from the back woods to mainstream. It was a flourishing time in America and people were looking to alleviate their restlessness after being "freed from wartime restraints" (1). Denied non-essential frivolities for so long, many sought relief in music. Records were produced at high volumes to meet demand now that there was a need and "at the conclusion of the war, at least 65 recording companies were releasing country records." (1) This time period also generated folk-music parks, spreading from New England to the Midwest, allowing patrons to enjoy country music outdoors in large numbers. Around 1925, The Grand Ole Opry or the "king of barn dance" got its start, beginning with a single fiddle player, named Jimmie Thompson, on a radio show called "The WSM Barn Dance". The Grand Ole Opry still exists 90 years later, and is the epitome of country music. (2) The genre would go on to see many variations throughout the years including the Nashville sound, the Bakersfield sound, honky tonk, outlaw country and today's modern variety. (3)
Present day country music is a blend of many different sounds incorporating guitars, fiddles, drums and pianos verses the humbler sounds of the years before.

Many would argue that country music isn't country anymore; straying too far from the older generation of fiddles, violins and guitars by incorporating a "pop" feel and focusing more on the beat than the content. Pop music is typically viewed as up-beat and differs from the sad, lonesome sounds of country from the past. I would agree that today's country has a very different sound than previous years, however, still incorporates the down-to-earth feel many of us can relate

to.
The quality of country music is found in the content of the lyrics and the stories they tell. Country music pulls inspiration from real experiences such as falling in love, breakups, the birth of a child and even sad times including the death of a loved one or friend. Each song typically has three to four verses with each one telling a small part of the story. When combining these words with the right type of sound, you are transported into the story and a good country song can make you smile, cry or laugh. The purpose of country music is to touch your soul and it succeeds.
Country music is also highly relatable because it details everyday life in rural areas. Growing up in Iowa, most of us have some connection to small town living. Whether the song is about a Friday night football game, plowing up dirt with a tractor, driving around in a big truck or traveling the backroads with your first love, country tells the stories of our youth.
To sum up, country music, with its deep history in America, the quality and content of the music and its relatability is why I believe it is better than other music varieties. The ability to listen to a song and feel as though it is speaking about you and your life is incomparable to just listening to music. Have I persuaded you to believe country music is the best?